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Jenifer Leaf Jaeger’s career rests on a guiding principle instilled by her father: if you have the ability to help someone, you have the responsibility to do so.
Jaeger, the new medical director of pediatrics and director of women’s health at New Bedford Community Health, completed her pediatric residency at Tufts University School of Medicine in 1996. During her fellowship in Pediatric Infectious Disease at Brown University, she learned about the Epidemic Intelligence Service, a postdoctoral epidemiology training program run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“I thought ‘that’s the coolest thing in the whole world,’” said Jaeger. “You go out and investigate outbreaks and pandemics and figure it out when other people can’t.”
Jaeger’s first overseas experience was in 2008, in Pakistan, where she spent several weeks treating children suffering from malnutrition caused by unclean water. Once back in the United States, she worked as an associate pediatrician at Massachusetts General Hospital for a few years before joining the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and then the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. In 2018, she became the director of Infectious Diseases at the Boston Public Health Commission.
In 2023, Jaeger left the United States again. This time, she spent nine months in Bangladesh with Doctors Without Borders at a Rohingya refugee camp. There, she trained local doctors to enhance medical care and helped cut the mortality rate by more than 50%.
Over time, Jaeger said she came to realize that people in need are everywhere, even in her own backyard. When she returned to the United States, she decided to put her experience to good use. “Having spent so much time working with refugees, I became really interested in focusing on refugee and immigrant health,” she said.
As Jaeger began working with immigrant families and their children in New Bedford, she quickly grasped the significance of the work being done at New Bedford Community Health. Many parents bring in children who have faced racist incidents and bullying, experiences that can lead to heightened risks of suicide. Others come in for their kids’ regular checkups.
As a pediatrician, Jaeger understands the uniquely special bond between a doctor and a parent. “[Their children] are the most important thing in the world to them, and they trust you to take care of them,” she said. “It really is an honor.”
Email multimedia reporter Eleonora Bianchi at ebianchi@newbedfordlight.org.
Jenifer Leaf Jaeger’s mission and big picture, big heart is a fine example of the love and support families find in the New Bedford area. We are so blessed that Dr. Jaegar chose New Bedford and the New Bedford Community Health. Thank you, NB Light, for bringing this to light!